Terron Armstead (born July 23, 1991) is an American former professional football player who spent 12 seasons as an offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played primarily for the New Orleans Saints after being selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft and later joined the Miami Dolphins. Armstead established himself as one of the premier offensive tackles of his generation, earning five Pro Bowl selections and a Second-team All-Pro honor during his career.
Terron Armstead Bio
Armstead was born in Cahokia, Illinois, and developed into a dominant offensive lineman through his high school and college years. His exceptional athleticism, showcased through his track and field achievements alongside his football prowess, made him a highly decorated player at Arkansas–Pine Bluff before his NFL career. He retired from professional football on April 5, 2025, after an impressive 12-season career that spanned 135 NFL games with 131 starts.
Early Life and Background
Terron Armstead grew up in Cahokia, Illinois, where he attended Cahokia High School. During his high school career, Armstead underwent significant physical development, growing from a 6-foot-2, 250-pound offensive lineman as a junior to a 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior. His transformation on the field helped lead the Cahokia Comanches to an impressive 11-2 record and a league championship.
Athleticism ran deep in Armstead, as he excelled in multiple sports at Cahokia High School. He lettered in both football and track and field, demonstrating his versatility as an athlete. His performance in track and field was particularly noteworthy, as he was named the News-Democrat Track and Field Athlete of the Year after winning the state title in the shot put with an extraordinary 61-foot-5-inch throw. He also competed in the discus event, further establishing his credentials as a multi-sport athlete whose raw athletic ability would translate well to the football field.
Path to American Football
Armstead continued his athletic career at the collegiate level, enrolling at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2009. Playing for the UAPB Golden Lions football team from 2009 to 2012, Armstead quickly established himself as a dominant force on the offensive line. His consistent excellence earned him recognition as a First-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) selection for three consecutive seasons from 2010 to 2012, validating his status as one of the top offensive linemen in the conference.
Alongside his football commitments, Armstead continued to compete in track and field at Arkansas–Pine Bluff. He participated as a shot putter, discus thrower, and hammer thrower, achieving notable results including a personal record of 18.73 meters in the shot put at the 2012 NCAA West Regional, where he placed 10th. At the 2012 Pepsi Florida Relays, he finished fourth in the discus throw with a career-best throw of 50.37 meters. This dual-sport excellence at the collegiate level showcased the exceptional athleticism that would define his NFL career.
Terron Armstead Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
Armstead entered the 2013 NFL Draft following his standout collegiate career at Arkansas–Pine Bluff. His performance at the NFL Combine made him a highly anticipated prospect, as he ran a remarkable 4.71-second 40-yard dash, which stood as the fastest time recorded by any offensive lineman at the combine since it first began in 1982. This extraordinary athletic display solidified his status as a premium NFL prospect despite coming from a smaller program.
The New Orleans Saints selected Armstead in the third round with the 75th overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, marking the earliest draft selection for any player from Arkansas–Pine Bluff in the program’s history. He signed a four-year, $2.86 million contract with a $617,436 signing bonus on May 9, 2013. Armstead began his rookie season as the backup left tackle behind Charles Brown but saw his first regular season action in a Week 3 win against the Arizona Cardinals on September 22. He earned his first career start in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers and remained the starting left tackle for the final three games of the season, including two postseason games.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2014–2021)
Armstead took over as the Saints starting left tackle in 2014 following Brown’s departure in free agency. He started the first 14 regular season games that year despite suffering a concussion in a Week 4 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, though he missed the final two games due to injury. His performance in his second season demonstrated his ability to be a reliable starter at the most demanding offensive line position.
The 2015 season saw Armstead continue his development as a premier left tackle. He started the first four games before missing two contests due to a knee injury, returning in Week 7 to play nine consecutive regular season games. His strong play earned him recognition as a Pro Bowl alternate that season, and professional analysts rated him as the third-best offensive tackle in the league by Pro Football Focus.
On May 3, 2016, Armstead and the Saints agreed to a landmark five-year, $65 million contract extension, making him one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the league at the time. The contract included $38 million in guarantees and an $11 million signing bonus, reflecting the team’s confidence in his abilities. However, the 2016 season was interrupted by injury as Armstead missed Weeks 3 and 4 with a knee injury and was ultimately placed on injured reserve on December 14.
The 2017 season brought another setback when Armstead suffered a torn labrum during minicamp on June 14, requiring surgery that was expected to keep him out for four to six months. Demonstrating his resilience, he returned earlier than anticipated and started ten games at left tackle during the regular season. Armstead’s career with the Saints continued through the 2021 season, with his performance earning him recognition among the league’s elite tackles.
Miami Dolphins Era (2022–2025)
On March 22, 2022, Armstead signed with the Miami Dolphins, agreeing to a five-year, $75 million contract worth up to $87.5 million, with $43.37 million in guaranteed money. This move represented a significant chapter in his career as he joined a Dolphins team looking to build around a strong offensive foundation. His tenure with Miami began with high expectations following his established reputation as one of the NFL’s top offensive tackles.
Despite his talent, Armstead’s time with the Dolphins was plagued by injuries. He was diagnosed with a Grade 2 pectoral strain in November 2022 and ruled out for approximately two to three weeks. Nevertheless, he managed to earn his fourth Pro Bowl selection that season, demonstrating that when healthy, he remained among the league’s elite at his position. His performance earned him the 83rd spot on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2023, voted on by his fellow players.
The 2023 season proved particularly challenging as Armstead struggled with multiple injuries early on, participating in only two games by Week 4. He was placed on injured reserve on October 6, 2023, with Kendall Lamm filling in at left tackle during his absence. He was activated on November 4, but his availability remained limited throughout the season. Armstead showed resilience in the 2024 season, starting 15 games and recording two fumble recoveries before announcing his retirement on April 5, 2025.
Playing Style and Strengths
Armstead’s game was defined by exceptional athleticism and mobility that few offensive tackles could match. His remarkable 4.71-second 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL Combine set a record for offensive linemen and translated directly to his playing style, allowing him to excel in space and handle edge rushers with uncommon speed. His combination of size, strength, and footwork made him particularly effective in pass protection, where he could mirror and match the quickness of elite pass rushers. His track and field background contributed to his explosive lower-body power, making him a reliable anchor against bull rushes while maintaining the agility necessary for zone-blocking schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Armstead’s most significant career moments was the landmark contract extension he signed with the Saints in 2016, worth $65 million over five years. His selection in the 2013 NFL Draft was also historic, as he became the earliest draft choice ever from Arkansas–Pine Bluff, with the announcement made by legendary Saint Steve Gleason using a computerized voice due to his ALS condition. His consistent Pro Bowl selections from 2018 to 2020 and again in 2022 and 2023 cemented his reputation as one of the most reliable offensive tackles in the league during his peak years.
Terron Armstead Career Highlights
Throughout his 12-season NFL career, Armstead established himself as one of the premier offensive tackles in professional football. His consistent excellence earned him multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors across his tenure with both the Saints and Dolphins.
Major Honors
Armstead earned Second-team All-Pro honors in 2018, validating his status among the league’s elite players at his position. He was selected to the Pro Bowl five times during his career, with his selections coming in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. His consistent recognition at the All-Pro and Pro Bowl levels throughout his career demonstrates the sustained excellence he maintained at the highest level of professional football. Additionally, he received the Black College Football Pro Player of the Year Award in 2021, honoring his achievements as a product of historically black colleges and universities.
College Achievements
Before his NFL success, Armstead was a three-time First-team All-SWAC selection from 2010 to 2012, establishing his dominance at the collegiate level. His performance at Arkansas–Pine Bluff, combined with his track and field accomplishments, showcased the exceptional athleticism that would define his professional career.
Education
Terron Armstead attended Cahokia High School in Cahokia Heights, Illinois, before pursuing his collegiate football career at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. At Arkansas–Pine Bluff, he balanced his football career with track and field commitments while earning three consecutive First-team All-SWAC honors from 2010 to 2012.
2025 Season Performance
After battling injuries throughout his tenure with the Miami Dolphins, Terron Armstead announced his retirement from professional football on April 5, 2025. His final season with the Dolphins in 2024 saw him start 15 games and record two fumble recoveries, demonstrating his continued productivity when available. His retirement brought an end to a distinguished 12-season career that included five Pro Bowl selections, one Second-team All-Pro honor, and over 130 career starts. Armstead’s legacy as one of the most athletic offensive tackles of his generation, combined with his perseverance through injuries, solidifies his place among the notable offensive linemen of the 2010s and early 2020s.